Picture-hanging device.



No. 722,467. v PATENTED MAR. 10, "1903. W. F. TOWNE.

1 PICTURE HANGING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 29, 1902.

NO MODEL.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM F. TOWNE, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

PICTURE-HANGING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 722,467, dated'March 10, 1903.

" Application filed November 29, 1902- Serial No. 133.197. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM F. TOWNE, a citizen of the United States, residing in Oakland, county of Alameda, State of California, have invented an Improvement in Picture- Hanging Devices; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention relates to improvements in means for hanging pictures upon or removing them from a molding, hook, or other point of support without the necessity of climbing upon a step-ladder or the like in order to engage or disengage the suspending wire or cord.

The object of my invention is to provide a device, first, by which a picture-hook by itself may be securely held while being placed in position upon the molding; second, by which a picture may be hung upon a hook already on the molding or upon a fixed support, as anail; third, by which a picture and hook may be hung at one and the same time, whether a double or single cord or wire is used.

It consists of the parts and the construction and combination of parts hereinafter more fully described, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a picturehanging device embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a rear view. Fig. 3 is a side elevation.

A represents a block, preferably rectangular and of suitable size and material, secured to the end of or formed integral with a pole, as 2. Upon opposite sides of the block are secured the spring-clamp members 3, which are bent inwardly across the top of the block and again upwardly near the center of the same, so as normally to bring their 'upper ends in juxtaposition to each other. Between these ends ahook, as 4, of any ordinary width or design, is adapted to beengaged-and held as shown in Fig. 1. The spring-clamps 3 thus hold the hook and prevent its falling while being engaged with a molding or like support imposed high above the head of the operator. The engaging ends of the springs are slotted, as at 5, to receive and hold the wire or cord when it is proposed to place the hook and picture in position at one and the same time. A plate 6 is secured to the front of the block and allowed to project a short distance above the end of the latter. This plate has a central slot 7 to admit and hold a single suspending cord or wire when it is desired to hang a picture by a single cord or wire. The plate 6 also serves as a brace or support for the hook. When using the single suspending cord and hook, the latter will be held against side movement by the spring-clamps 3, as in Fig. 1, and the single cord will be directed through the central slot. It is obvious that said slotted part 6 could be cast integral with the block. The fourth side of the block is provided with a tapered channel 8, gradually deepening toward the upper end, and the walls of this channel or groove adjacent to its deeper portionare notched, as at 9. These notches are for the purpose of engaging the picture cord or, wire when it is desired to hang a picture upon a hook which is already in position upon the molding, the groovespace beneath the wire accommodating the hook end and allowing the wire to be freely disengaged from the hanger.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A picture-hanger including a block having opposed spring-clamp members slotted to receive a picture-cord.

2. A picture-hanger comprising a block having opposed spring-clamp members and a slotted guide on one side intermediate of said members, the slot in said guide for the purpose of accommodating a single suspending- WlIB.

3. A picture-hanger comprising a support having a longitudinal groove or channel adjacent to one end, the walls ,of. said groove having notches in which a picture-cord may be engaged, and said groove capable of receiving the-end of a hook already in position on the wall.

4. A picture -hanger comprising a block having opposed slotted spring-clamp members, a plate secured to one side of the block intermediate of said clamp members and having a central Vertical guide-slot, and said bers slotted longitudinally, substantially as block having an inclined longitudinal groove described. 1 upon one of its surfaces, the Walls of said In witness whereof I have hereunto set my groove having notches substantially as and hand.

5 for the purpose described. WILLIAM F. TOWNE.

5. A picture-hanger comprising a block Witnesses: having opposed angular spring-clamp mem- S. H. N CURSE, bers one on each side of the block said mem-' CHAS. E. TOWNSEND. 

